Mental Health Support Teams
Supporting children and young people who are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing is a key part of our work across the UK. We run 12 Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) across England.
We have been involved in the delivery of MHSTs since the first wave was commissioned in 2018/19. Our Swindon MHSTs were part of the Trailblazer roll out and we have since become delivery partners to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), North East and North Cumbria ICB, and are part of a delivery collaborative on the Isle of Wight.
We can offer:
- knowledge and learning from our existing work with local authorities and CCGs in the Trailblazer and subsequent waves.
- specialist expertise in mental health interventions for children and young people.
- support to implement an individualised approach, which meets the needs of and is designed with local children and young people.
- opportunities to develop a trauma informed whole school approach.
- bespoke training to MHSTs and school staff.
What people have to say about our work
Our approach: Child directed, System focused, Strengths-based, Outcome informed (CSSO)
CSSO© is our whole service delivery framework for specialist support mental health services. It provides clearly structured, outcome-informed methodologies to both shape practice and demonstrate service impact. It also includes training to shape practice and demonstrate impact.
Through a collaborative approach with input from MHST colleagues and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy specialists, we have adapted the CSSO framework to fit with our approach to delivering MHSTs.
Empowering schools through the Barnardo’s Education Community (BEC)
We're proud to offer a comprehensive and trauma-informed education programme through the Barnardo’s Education Community (BEC). BEC is a UK-wide online mental health and wellbeing programme for staff working in, or alongside, education settings supporting babies, children and young people. BEC has been developed in collaboration with children, young people, clinicians, and education professionals and is built around the needs of children, young people, and the adults who support them.
Through the Barnardo’s Education Community, we support a whole school approach to children and young people's mental health with practical, research-informed tools and compassionate approaches that promote positive mental health and resilience for both children and young people and the adults who support them.
As part of our whole school approach, we offer consultations and training to education staff on a variety of topics, including for example, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) though our specialised team, the National FGM Centre.
The chance to have a mental health support practitioner coming into school is absolutely amazing because it gives my school a level of service from a skilled practitioner in mental health that we wouldn't have if it wasn't for Barnardo's.
Joanne Easthope
Head Teacher at Overton St Helen's CofE Primary School
Mental health support for young people
Everyone has mental health and it’s something we should all take the time to look after. Sometimes our thoughts and feelings can feel difficult to manage. If you’re struggling with how you feel, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Help and advice is available for you.
It's hard to talk: Expanding Mental Health Support Teams in education
Supporting children and young people’s mental health is vital to prevent long-term health, social and financial impacts into adulthood. Schools and colleges are increasingly playing a part in recognising children and young people in need and providing mental health services. Early identification and support is key to prevent children and young people reaching crisis point.
North Cumbria Mental Health Support Team
Our North Cumbria Mental Health Support Team offers early intervention mental health support for emotional health and wellbeing for children and young people in North Cumbria schools.
Solar
Solar is a partnership between Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Barnardo’s and Autism West Midlands and provides emotional wellbeing and primary mental health services to children, young people and families in Solihull.
Moving Mindsets - Morecambe Bay Mental Health Support Teams
Moving Mindsets provides early intervention support for emotional health and wellbeing in education settings.
The Isle of Wight Mental Health Support Team
The Isle of Wight Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in schools is a multi-agency collaborative made up of the IW Youth Trust, Barnardo’s, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.